Hierarchical and network

data model
Abhishek.S
20CS801001
contents
• What is a Data Model?
• What is Hierarchical Data Model?
• What is Network Data Model?
• What is a data model ?
 A Database model represents real world objects. It defines the logical design and structure
of a database and defines how data will be stored, accessed and updated in a database
management system.
 Data Models are fundamental entities to introduce abstraction in a DBMS
 It defines the data elements and the relationships between the data elements. Data Models
are used to show how data is stored, connected, accessed and updated in the database
management system. 
 Levels of Data Models:
1. High Level (Conceptual)
2. Low Level (Physical)
3. Representational Level (Implementation)
•Hierarchical data model
 Here, the data is organized into a tree like structure with each
record is having one parent record and many children.
 These types of models are designed basically for the early
mainframe database management systems, like the Information
Management System (IMS) by IBM.
 It allows the one-to-one and a one-to-many relationship between
two/ various types of data.
 It is very helpful in describing many relationships in the real
world, table of contents, any nested and sorted information.
•Hierarchical data model
 The hierarchical structure is used as
 Example Diagram ::
the physical order of records in
storage.

 One can access the records by

navigating down through the data
structure using pointers which are
combined with sequential accessing.

 Therefore, the hierarchical structure is

not suitable for certain database
operations when a full path is not also
included for each record.
•Hierarchical data model
Advantages ::
 Referential integrity is
maintained
 Most efficient with 1:N
relationships
 Conceptually simple due to
parent child relationships
 High performance and
database security is enforced.
Disadvantages ::
 Does not support complex
relationships
 If parent and child table is not
related to each other, adding a new
entry in the child table is difficult
 Does not support M:N relationships
 Redundancy which leads to
inaccurate data
 Poor flexibility and rigid structure
•Network data model
 This model is an extension of the Hierarchical model. In this model data is
organized more like a graph, and are allowed to have more than one parent
node. A feature that was not supported by the hierarchical data model.
 This model was used to map many-to-many data relationships.
 It was created to represent complex data relationships more effectively than
the hierarchical model, to improve database performance
 While the network database model is generally not used today, but the
standards defined by it are still used.
 Easily accessed because of the linkage between the information
 For more complex data, it is easier to use because of the multiple relationship is found
among its data
•Network data model
Advantages ::
 Implementation is simple and easy
 Manages 1:1 and M:N relations
 Maintains data integrity as there’s
always a connection between
parent & child node
 Enables users to create queries
that are more complex than that of
hierarchical model
 Provides faster access to data
Disadvantages ::
 Maintenance of records is done
through pointers hence complex
 Lacks structural independence, as a
change in the structure demands a
change in the application.
 The insertion, deletion and updating
operations of any record require large
number of pointers adjustments.
 As it is a bit complex to do any
modifications the user must be fully
aware with the overall structure.
•Network data model
 Example Diagram ::
THANK YOU